Questions for Reflection:

How were the readings for last Shabbat fulfilled for you during last week?

My prophecy was: Lets work at influencing others to love each other to be strengthened as we experience the exile.

I had the opportunity to teach and influence a fellow Jew as he questioned the idea of Mashiach Ben Yosef as the Mashiach for the Gentile.

1. After diligently reading and studying the different readings for this Shabbat what reading especially touched your heart and fired your imagination?

I was touched by the Hakhams commentary on the meaning of the shekel, in Matityahu, as meaning the price Gentiles pay to learn Torah.

1. How is Shemot 37:30-38 related to Shemot 30:1?

V.1 speaks of building an altar to burn the ketoret (incense) properly before HaShem and v.37-38 speak of the improper way to use the ketoret for our own gratification.

2. There are various subjects being treated in this Torah seder. How is the subject of the Half Shekel related to the other subjects being treated?

The incense altar, the incense, and the atonement of the altar both suggests that the shekel is used to provide atonement and is used to be pleasing to HaShem. Both the Yom Kippur atonement and the half shekel are both done once a year. It also suggests that atonement from the half shekel is like the cleansing of the water. Finally, the anointing oil is used to prepare the priests for service. This suggests that the half shekel also prepares the people for service by providing the tamid offering with its atonement.

A. Altar of incense atonement.

B. Half-shekel atonement.

C. Kior ritual purity before atonement can be made.

D. Anointing consecration redemption, atonement.

E. Spices atonement of the Gentile by Jews.

If there is no half shekel, then there is no incense for the altar and there is no answer to prayers (the incense represents the prayers of the righteous). If you want to get HaShems attention just give money to His ventures, as we see in the following passage:

II Luqas (Acts) 10:1 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, 2 A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway. 3 He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius. 4 And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.

3. What questions were asked of Rashi regarding Exodus 30:3?

its top Why is a this top specifically mentioned?

a golden crown What does this symbolize?

4. What questions were asked of Rashi regarding Exodus 30:7?

when he sets in order What is the meaning of the Hebrew word: ?

the lamps What is the meaning of the Hebrew word: ?

5. What questions were asked of Rashi regarding Exodus 30:10?

But Aaron shall make atonement- What does this refer to?

once a year When is this to be done?

the sin offering of the atonements- What specifically are these offerings?

a holy of holies- What do we learn from this phrase?

6. What questions were asked of Rashi regarding Exodus 30:12?

When you take What is the meaning of the Hebrew phrase: ?

then there will be no plague among them Why are these exempt from the plague?

7. What questions were asked of Rashi regarding Exodus 30:13?

This they shall give How did they know what to give?

who goes through the counting What is the meaning of the Hebrew phrase: -?

half a shekel according to the holy shekel What is the weight of this shekel?

Twenty gerahs equal one shekel How much is this?

Twenty gerahs equal one shekel What is this size?

8. What questions were asked of Rashi regarding Exodus 30:14?

from the age of twenty and upward What does this teach us?

9. What questions were asked of Rashi regarding Exodus 30:15?

to atone for your souls What would be the consequence if this were not done?

to atone for your souls Why was this written?

The half shekel acted like professional insurance that was used to protect against mal-practice. By giving a gift to the synagogue, a person was given insurance agains mal-practice.

10. What questions were asked of Rashi regarding Exodus 30:16?

and use it for the work of the Tent of Meeting What do we learn from this?

for the work of the Tent of Meeting - What is this work?

11. What questions were asked of Rashi regarding Exodus 30:18?

a washstand What did this look like?

and its base What is the meaning of the Hebrew word: ?

for washing What does this refer to?

between the altar What does this refer to?

12. What questions were asked of Rashi regarding Exodus 30:19?

their hands and feet How was this done?

13. What questions were asked of Rashi regarding Exodus 30:20?

When they enter the Tent of Meeting Why would they enter?

so that they will not die What does this imply?

the altar Which altar?

14. What questions were asked of Rashi regarding Exodus 30:21?

so that they will not die Why was this pasuk written?

15. What questions were asked of Rashi regarding Exodus 30:23?

spices of the finest sort What is the meaning of the Hebrew phrase: ?

fragrant cinnamon Why is it called fragrant?

half of it two hundred and fifty [shekel weights] Why is this stated?

fragrant cane What do we learn from this Hebrew phrase: - ?

two hundred and fifty [shekel weights] Is this the total sum?

16. What questions were asked of Rashi regarding Exodus 30:34?

balsam sap What is the meaning of the Hebrew word: ?

onycha What is the meaning of the Hebrew word: ?

and galbanum- What does this teach us?

aromatics What is the meaning of the Hebrew word: ?

and pure frankincense What doe we learn from this?

they shall be of equal weight What is the meaning of the Hebrew phrase: ?

17. What word/words/phrase/concept of the Torah fired the imagination of our Psalmist this week?

The psalmist is comparing the implements in the Temple to the things that HaShem created in the world. For example: The Psalmist see the waves of the sea as related to the laver which is also called a sea. The Psalmist is also calling our attention to the fact that the new moon is coming soon.

18. How is our Ashlamatah of II Kings 11:1712:17 related to our Torah Seder?

The Ashlamata is reflecting the building of the Mishkan with the repair and restoration of the Beit HaMikdash (the Temple). He see the half shekel in contrast to the collection for the repair. This collection was voluntary.

19. How is Matityahu (Matt.) 17:24-27 related to our Torah Seder, Psalm and Ashlamatah?

Each section is somehow related to the half-shekel or the Temple by some sort of imagery. In order to meet ones obligation to the body, one must put a hook in the sea. If people do not contribute to the building and maintenance of the Temple, then the whole profession will wither.

20. In your opinion what are some of the key teachings of Matityahu (Matt.) 17:24-27? Enumerate and explain them.

We should pay the taxes that are required by the leaders even if we are not necessarily supposed to, if it would give offense.

As Chacham already stated, the Gentile pupil is to support the Jewish teacher and therefore express his gratitude of learning Torah.

1. We are all connected.

2. There is no such thing as individual Judaism

3. When striving to become a Torah teacher there is nothing to worry about..the tax will get paid by the Hand of HaShem.

This section of Mattiyahu teaches the vitality of doing things G-ds way. The dynamics of the Kingdom cannot be altered. This is the true system of Gods governance. The Governance of G-d is a Corporate occupation.

1. If one truly is seeking to Know HaShem and his will, it will lead to nowhere but the feet of a Torah scholar (Hakham). Once one arrives, there should be no doubt that supporting the Governance (Kingdom) of G-d, is not just a requirement, but actual evidence of the reality of your Emunah.

2. Also in keeping with His Majesties teaching, we are to be fishers of men (goyim), and since the Jews have been appointed guardians of the Torah (written/oral) and have seen that the chain has remained unbroken, how great is the debt owed to such a studious and faithful people. Let us not support the Kingdom in word only, but also in deed.

That gentile believers, as well as Jews, share a financial responsibility to support the torah teachers and to contribute to the upkeep of the local synagogues and in the future, to the temple in Jerusalem.

The Hakham taught that Maimonides said that there would never be another Temple. He saw future references to the Temple as being metaphorical or symbolical. The Hakham agrres with Maimonides and sees the Temple as bringing the people of HaShem together and building and equiping them. This is the purpose of the prayer services and Torah study. Thus a Temple of Living Stones rather than a Temple of stones.

21. In your opinion, and taking altogether our Torah Seder, Psalm, Ashlamatah and the Pericope of Matthew for this Shabbat, what do you think is the prophetic statement for the coming week?

We are part of a community which is a microcosm of the world. Because of this we need to be carefull to do our part for the community and we should study diligently to understand our role in the world and in the community.

Give to the work of God with all your heart, so it might be well with us.

We should seek to become unified in all of our ways. The greater unification, the greater Tikkum Olam is being accomplished.

Community and unity is the key and core of true holiness. Work to build the community with all your resources. SUPPORT YOUR HAKHAM!!!!

As an outward sign of an inner work, that he or she has been grafted into the Jewish Olive Tree and brought near the Commonwealth of Israel, as taught by a Jewish Scholar, we should support the Jewish Scholar.

As no man is an island, neither is the Jew. We need the other half of our shekel (community). Keep fishing. You never know, after all I took the bait (HH. R.P and HH.) and was hooked. In Matityahu: we are told we are told to fish for mens souls and they will as they become Torah educated, support (half shekels) the Jewish educators and thereby the Governance of G-d.

That we have all have a need for a Torah centered community. Not only do we all need it, Jews and gentiles alike, but we all have a financial responsibility for the Torah teachers of the community.